| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Charmides by Plato: between ancient and modern philosophy, and between physical and
metaphysical science; but really unmeaning?
(5) To this 'Later Theory' of Plato's Ideas I oppose the authority of
Professor Zeller, who affirms that none of the passages to which Dr.
Jackson appeals (Theaet.; Phil.; Tim.; Parm.) 'in the smallest degree prove
his point'; and that in the second class of dialogues, in which the 'Later
Theory of Ideas' is supposed to be found, quite as clearly as in the first,
are admitted Ideas, not only of natural objects, but of properties,
relations, works of art, negative notions (Theaet.; Parm.; Soph.); and that
what Dr. Jackson distinguishes as the first class of dialogues from the
second equally assert or imply that the relation of things to the Ideas, is
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Brother of Daphne by Dornford Yates: indicate the merits of-er-of- "
"The idle rich," she said, smiling. "Yes, but you see you
shouldn't have. When you saw me coming you ought to have- "
"Dodged behind a pillar, picked up my stick and gloves, and kept
about ten bath-lengths away, until the partner reappeared? No
doubt. But, then, you shouldn't have looked so priceless, or
worn your sense of humour on your sleeve. You shouldn't have had
a small, straight nose or a mouth like a red flower. You
shouldn't have walked like a thoroughbred, or carried your
clothes as if they were worth wearing. You shouldn't have had
eyes I could see to read by, if the light failed."
The Brother of Daphne |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: money out of your own hoard I shall feel no anxiety; you will know how
to keep it from the clutches of your creditors. If, on the contrary,
my money is at stake, you will have neither the same eagerness nor the
same intelligence in keeping it out of danger. Therefore arrange your
affairs so that you can pay down your own thirty-three thousand; in
case of success, that sum will bring you in pretty nearly a hundred
per cent. That's my last word, and I shall not listen to any
objections."
Cerizet had no time to make any, for at that moment the door of du
Portail's study opened abruptly, and a fair, slender woman, whose face
expressed angelic sweetness, entered the room eagerly. On her arm,
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The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Europeans by Henry James: "Because I wanted to think about you."
"Because you wanted to lie down!" said the Baroness.
"I have seen you lie down--almost--in my drawing-room."
Acton stopped in the road, with a movement which seemed to beg
her to linger a little. She paused, and he looked at her awhile;
he thought her very charming. "You are jesting," he said;
"but if you are really going away it is very serious."
"If I stay," and she gave a little laugh, "it is more serious still!"
"When shall you go?"
"As soon as possible."
"And why?"
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